Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Here are some of the common questions we get from users of DAT MembersEdge. Click on the question to see the answer.

Do I need an MC number to sign up for DAT MembersEdge?

You don't have to have it handy when you first sign up, but you'll need to add it later. You will need to have your DOT number, though. If you're looking to get your operating authority, we can help with that.

What is URS?

It stands for United Registration System, which will eventually replace MC numbers. It's an online registration system, and right now, anyone applying for new trucking authority will apply through the URS. The system will eventually be rolled out to include companies that are already registered with the FMCSA.

How do I file IFTA taxes, and when are they due?

To file your IFTA fuel tax reports, you have to keep track of where you drove, how many miles you drove, fuel receipts or fuel tickets, and odometer readings. You have to file for IFTA four times a year, and you have to keep the records on file for four years. They're due on Jan. 31, April 30, July 31 and Oct. 31. You can also send us your trip sheets, and we'll do your fuel tax reports for you.

Why am I not getting any calls on my truck posting?

Make sure you are entering a destination when posting. When destination is left open (indicating your willingness to go anywhere) your posting will not appear as a match to a load posting. It is recommended you post your truck with a destination such as states and/or zones.

Is there a mobile app for MembersEdge?

If you’re a DAT MembersEdge subscriber, then you also get the DAT Load Board for Truckers mobile app for free. The app is available for download to Android devices from Google Play, or from the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads.

Why do I see results that are further away than what I specified in my search?

When the search is run, it is using a radius around a city that is in air miles. While all the results you see will be within that air mile radius, the actual driving miles can be further.

What’s an ELD, and what is the ELD mandate?

ELD stands for Electronic Logging Device. It’s a tool that lets drivers keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) and track their Hours of Service (HOS) using electronic logbooks (e-logs). The ELD mandate is a rule passed by the FMCSA that requires professional truck drivers and motor carriers to use electronic logbooks for HOS compliance. Owner-operators, drivers, and fleets have until December 2017 to comply.

How do ELDs work?

An ELD system plugs into the truck’s cab, connects to the engine, and records when the vehicle is in motion. A separate device lets drivers select their duty status and see their hours of service. Instead of inspecting a paper logbook, law enforcement can download data from the device in a number of ways, including Bluetooth and USB.

What’s the difference between EOBR, AOBRD, and ELD?

EOBR stands for Electronic Onboard Recorder, while AOBRD stands for Automatic Onboard Recording Device. Each varies a bit, but all three are used for e-logs. ELD has become the most commonly used term, since that’s the term used in the FMCSA’s mandate.

What’s a Fleet Management System?

ELDs can also be a part of a Fleet Management System (FMS), which is used to track the location of all the trucks in a fleet. An FMS can also include engine diagnostics, fuel efficiency reports, in-cab communication, IFTA reporting, and more.

What if the ELD logs the wrong time?

Drivers can edit e-logs and make corrections. E-logs also allow drivers to round to the nearest minute, rather than the 15-minute intervals used in paper logs, so that drivers will be able to make the most of their hours.

What’s BYOD?

It stands for "Bring Your Own Device." A BYOD solution is one that lets drivers track their hours by connecting their own smartphone or tablet to the ELD.

Will my Android or iPhone work with the ELD mandate?

A smartphone or tablet by itself will not comply with the new rule because the device has to be “synchronized” with the truck’s engine. It can be used as part of a BYOD system, though.